Moving house plants is an important, but easily overlooked aspect of the moving process. House plants can represent a significant investment of both money and time, and most plant owners will want to bring at least some of their plants when relocating. With the proper preparation and attention during the moving process, you can successfully move your houseplants and enjoy an immediate sense of home in your new location.
Research and Strategize
Before transporting houseplants to your new location, the first step is to ensure you can bring them with you at all. Some states have regulations that limit the types of plants that you can transport across state lines.
Additionally, you may find that some of your plants are unsuitable for your new climate without investing in a climate-controlled environment or specialty growing lights. Unless you plan to provide a special environment, you may want to leave some plants behind.
Pests are another pre-move consideration. You should only move pest-free plants to avoid affecting your other plants or introducing dangerous pests into your new community. You should safely dispose of any infested plants before moving.
Prepare Your Plants
Once you know which plants you plan to bring, you can begin preparing them for the move. Some key preparations are:
- Repotting into lighter pots for transport
- Trimming and pruning to maximize plant health
- Gradually reducing light exposure to prepare plants for boxed transport
It is essential to ensure that your plants are as healthy as possible before relocating them. No matter how much care you take, moving can cause plants damage and distress. The healthier your plants are beforehand, the more likely they are to survive.
Pack Plants with Care
When it is time to move, you should pack your plants as gently and securely as possible. You should consider:
- Ensuring that the soil is moist but not saturated immediately before moving
- Wrapping plant pots and bases to ensure soil stays in place
- Packing plants upright in sturdy boxes to avoid damage
- Securing plants with dividers and packing material so they won’t shift in transit
- Ensuring airflow by creating ventilation holes
- Labeling boxes with phrases such as “Live Plants,” Fragile,” and “This Way Up”
Packing your plants with care gives them the best chance of surviving the moving process intact. The more secure they are during transit, the better.
Attend to Plant Needs En Route
Ideally, you should move plants by packing them upright inside a climate-controlled vehicle. If they experience unusual temperatures, jostling, or a lack of air, they are less likely to survive.
As long as your plants are healthy beforehand, you should not need to water them extensively during the move. However, you may want to check the soil moisture level as you travel and lightly mist your plants with water if needed.
Even if you have acclimated your plants to a lower level of light, you will also want to open up the boxes whenever possible to allow them access to sunlight and fresh air. You can try doing this whenever you stop, so that your plants get a break whenever you do.
If you are driving a long distance and stopping at night, it is advisable to bring your plants inside, if possible. Bringing plants in will help ensure they have access to air and experience appropriate temperatures overnight.
Acclimate Plants Slowly
Depending on how far you are moving from your original location and climate, you may need to acclimate your plants slowly to their new environment. You may need to adjust to a different watering schedule, change their usual location, or introduce a new type of fertilizer.
For the first few weeks after you move, closely monitor your plants to determine how they respond to the new environment. You can consult a local garden shop or other plant specialist for advice on best practices for plant care in your new locale.
You may also want to prepare yourself to lose some plants. No matter how careful you are during the moving process, it is always possible that not all of your plants will survive. However, with some careful preparation and care, you should be able to successfully move the majority of your plants, allowing you to enjoy them as part of your new home.
When you need moving assistance in Burlington or the area, call Chase Moving and Storage today. We are here to help you move your plants and household as smoothly and safely as possible. With over 100 years of experience in the moving industry, our family-owned company is committed to delivering exceptional customer care and outstanding moving services. Chase Moving and Storage—THE MOST TRUSTED MOVERS SINCE 1908.
